Analytical Science

The Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds which include the phytocannabinoids, and chemical compounds which mimic the actions of phytocannabinoids or have a similar structure (e.g. endoccanabinoids, found in the nervous and immune systems of animals and that activate cannabinoid receptors).
Among a long list of other benefits, cannabinoids exert palliative effects in cancer patients by preventing nausea, vomiting and pain and by stimulating appetite. In addition, these compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumour cells in culture and animal models by modulating key cell-signalling pathways.
A better understanding of the cannabinoids can help you understand which medicine works best for you.

Cannabidiol (CBD)
With respect to the medical potential of the cannabis, CBD may hold the most promise for many serious conditions. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is believed to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. Smokers of cannabis with a higher CBD/THC ratio are less likely to experience anxiety. CBD may also inhibit cancer cell growth.–Santa Cruz Labs

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The most abundant and widely known cannabinoid in marijuana, THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the main psychoactive effects patients are familiar with. The compound is a mild analgesic and cellular research has shown the compound has antioxidant activity. THC is believed to interact with parts of the brain normally controlled by the endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter anandamide.–Santa Cruz Labs

Cannabinol (CBN)
A psychoactive cannabinoid that comes about from the degradation of THC, there is usually very little CBN in a fresh plant. CBN potentiates the effects of THC. The degradation of THC, into CBN, is often described as creating a "couch lock" effect.–Santa Cruz Labs

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)
THCA is the main constituent in raw cannabis. THCA converts to D9-THC when burned, vaporized, or heated for a period of time at a certain temperature. THCA holds much of the anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anti-proliferative (inhibiting the cell-growth in tumors/ cancer cells,) as well as anti-spasmodic (suppresses muscle-spasms.) –Santa Cruz Labs

Values of Cannabinoids

Ailements and corresponding cannabinoidsData courtesy of TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences

Know your Medicine

Le Shoppe uses SCLABS to test the medicine provided to the patients. All results are posted on our menus for your convenience.
You can also visit SClabs' website for more details about the testing. (Click here for all lab results)

Why should I care if my medicine has been tested by a third party? and Why Le Shoppe chose SCLabs?

No medical, pharmaceutical, food or dairy products leave testing to the producers or vendors of these products. Why? The answer is obvious. Credibility. In contrast, 3rd party testing is reliable in a way that “self monitoring” can never be. Currently, even the most basic safety and quality assurance practices are not required for Medical Marijuana.In response, several municipalities are developing ordinances that require dispensaries to have their products tested. Some dispensaries test their medicine “in house”. This is a uniquely limited model when compared to either the pharmaceutical or food industries. If each dispensary chooses to test all of its’ own products, then the door is open for dispensaries to manufacture results or, even among the most well meaning of dispensaries, make mistakes.
Alternatively, testing Cannabis using an accreditted and certified third party agency would verify competence, prevent bias, and establish credibility. Each dispensary can then distribute medicine with the assurance that it has been certified as safe for consumption. Consistent with it’s primary mission, a dispensary can empower its patients to make the correct choices in their medicine specific to their needs.

Why Testing?

If you went to the doctor for back pain and she handed you a bottle of different colored pills with no label and told you to go home and take a few to see how they affected you, would you do it? Cannabis has many active ingredients which have different effects on the body. To effectively treat any conditions you have, or just to know what you are putting into your body, why not choose cannabis with a properly labeled dosage.